Minneapolis Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise
In 2010 Minneapolis was named the nation’s “best city for bicycling” by Bicycle Magazine. We would like to see it become the safest bicycling city in the nation. In spite of a bicycle-friendly culture and designated bicycle lanes Minneapolis bicycle and pedestrian accidents are on the rise. On average, every year 8 people are killed in bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Minnesota.
Summer has not even started and we are halfway to the yearly average. Just in the last two weeks the following accidents were reported:
- Minneapolis Pedestrian Accident: A pedestrian was injured when hit by a pickup truck near Target Field.
- Uptown: A taxi cab hit four people while they were crossing the street at Hennepin Avenue and Lake street in Minneapolis, in the crosswalk. One woman was killed.
- Dinkytown: A hit-and-run driver struck three pedestrians, killing one and injuring the other two.
- Dinkytown: A bicyclist was hit and killed by a right turning truck at 15th Avenue SE and 4th Street SE.
- Winona Bicycle Accident: A 73-year-old woman was killed in a bicycle – school bus collision. The bicyclist was in the bike lane on Sarnia Street when a 2003 International school bus made a wide left turn from Chippewa Street onto Sarnia, hitting and killing the bicyclist.
According to the Minneapolis Police Department, the number one contributing factor to bicycle – pedestrian – motor vehicle accidents is failure to yield. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians share the blame:
- Motorists fail to be observant of bicycles and pedestrian.
- Bicyclists disregard traffic signals and do not obey the rules of the road.
- Pedestrians disregard traffic signals and jaywalk in congested areas.
With the warmer weather, drivers need to exercise more caution as they drive. Then, even though the law is on their side, pedestrians and cyclists need to be alert and watch out for themselves.
Attorney Fred Pritzker is an avid bicyclist and he knows how to get injured cyclists the compensation they deserve. If you were injured in a Minneapolis bicycle accident, a Minnesota bicycle accident lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. will meet you wherever it is convenient for you. For a free consultation with a Minnesota bicycle accident attorney, please call 612-338-0202 or submit our free consultation form.
Defective Bike Part Prompts Bicycle and Frameset Recall
Defective bicycle forks have prompted a bicycle recall by Seattle Bike Supply of Kent, Washington, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The 2010 Redline Conquest Cyclocross Bikes and Framesets have forks that can develop a crack in the crown, causing the legs to separate. If this happens the rider could suddenly lose control, therefore increasing the risk of a bike accident injury. Seattle Bike Supply has received five reports of cracked forks.
Redline Conquest Cyclocross Bike Recall: Product Detail
The recalled bikes and framesets are yellow and black and have aluminum frames, forks and steering tubes. The word “Redline” is printed on the bike frame and the bikes come with 700C wheels and have frame sizes between 44-60cm. They were sold at bicycle specialty shops nationwide between July 2009 and May 2010.
Owners should NOT ride these bikes and contact their local Redline dealer for a free fork replacement.
Campus Cruiser Bike Recall Over Defective Fork
A bike recall has been announced due to a defective fork and bike accident hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Boulder, Colorado-based Campus Cruisers is issuing the recall after four reports of cracks in the bikes’ aluminum front forks. Cracked forks can break, causing sudden loss of steering control to the cyclist and increasing the risk of a bike accident.
Campus Cruisers Bike Recall: Product Description
- Name: Eastside Fix Bicycle Aluminum Forks
- Sold as part of Campus Cruiser Eastside fixed gear bikes
- Color: Royal blue with white leather seats
- Sold at: Independent bike shops nationwide from March – May 2010
Owner should not ride the bikes with potentially defective forks; they may contact Campus Cruisers dealers for free repairs.
Felt Bicycle Recall due to Defects and Injuries
A bike recall has been issued by Felt Bicycles of Irvine, California, due to defects and reports of minor injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced.
The company has received seven reports of fork steer tubes breaking, one of which involved minor bumps and bruises to the rider when the rider lost control after the bike broke and fell. The company is recalling more than 2,000 model year 2009 road bikes in the following models:
- B12 gloss sliver and carbon bikes with carbon fiber frames and forks with aluminum steer tubes
- B16 matte black and red bikes with carbon fiber frames and forks with aluminum steer tubes
- S32 gloss white and red bikes with aluminum frames, carbon fiber forks and aluminum steer tubes
Manufactured from Oct. 2008 to May 2010, the potentially defective bikes were sold at specialty bike retail stores nationwide. Due to the bike accident injury hazard posed by this defect, consumers should stop riding the bikes and take them to a Felt bicycle dealer for inspection and repair.
Steps to Take before You Ride Your Bike
- Wear a helmet that fits properly. For more information, go to “Easy Steps to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet.”
- Make sure the bicycle is in good working order. Check all parts to make sure they are secure and work as they should. Check the tire pressure and the brakes.
- Adjust the bicycle to fit you. Stand over the bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.
- Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Good colors for your clothing are bright yellow or bright lime green. Red appears black in fading light, so it should not be worn once the sun starts going down.
For more information, please see our bicycle safety booklet.
Jeep-Bicycle Accident Injures Minnesota Bicyclist
A bicyclist from Afton, Minnesota was hit and injured by a Jeep Wrangler in Star Prairie, Wisconsin on Saturday. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was hospitalized.
Head injury is the most common serious injury in bicycle crashes with motor vehicles. Head injuries cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), a type of injury in which the victim does not always recover. Using a helmet while biking can prevent serious TBI; however, we have had clients that suffered serious TBI even though they were wearing a helmet.
Minnesota law does not require bicyclists to wear a helmet, but helmets can prevent serious injury and death. Your bicycle helmet should fit properly and be worn the correct way. For more information on fitting a helmet, go to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute or State Bicycle Advisory Committee website.